The Turkish Coalition USA Political Action Committee (TC-USA PAC) is an entity supporting Members of Congress and candidates who support Turkish Americans and a strong US-Turkey relationship. Since the creation of TC-USA PAC in 2007, the PAC has contributed over $365,000 to political campaigns, making the Turkish American presence felt in the political arena.

Who can contribute to the TC-USA PAC?

Only Green Card holders and U.S. Citizens can contribute personal funds. Business entities and non-green card-holders are prohibited by law to contribute.

How much can be contributed to the TC-USA PAC?

Up to $5,000 per person, per year. All contributions are welcomed ($10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500…$5,000). Visit www.TenThousandTurks.org.

What is the purpose of TC-USA PAC?

The immediate goal of TC-USA PAC is to raise money from US citizens of Turkish descent and American friends of Turkey in order to make political contributions to the campaigns of national and regional politicians who support the interests of Turkish Americans. Additionally, TC-USA PAC is laying the foundation for the next Turkish American running for federal office by providing a forum that didn’t exist before. Turkish Americans have very few political champions, and TC-USA PAC is focusing on building the base of political support Turkish Americans can depend upon.

The funds raised through the TC-USA PAC are used to support both the Democratic and Republican Parties and congressional, state and local candidates. Nearly 100 candidates nationwide have been supported by the PAC already! These activities are a great start, as they have put the Turkish American community on the map. There is still more work to do; it is time to raise the volume of the Turkish American voice.

TC-USA PAC’s initial successes have inspired Turkish Americans across the country to organize political fundraisers in their local communities. Turkish American fundraisers for congressional candidates, for example, have been held in Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington DC, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

On April 29, 2010, TC-USA PAC announced the launch of its first major project, the Ten Thousand Turks campaign.

BECOMING A SUPPORTER

Why a PAC?

Political action committees (PAC) like TC-USA PAC are able to raise and spend money to elect and defeat political candidates throughout the United States. PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC.

PACs are legally established by Congress. The PAC system allows the public to know who contributes and who receives money. It is set up to establish an open, honest system by which people can come together to support or oppose candidates.

PACs have been a key part of the American political system since 1944, when the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed the first one to raise money for the re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. While there are many active Turkish American non-profits in the U.S., they are prohibited by law from supporting or becoming involved with political candidates. TC-USA PAC is a venue that allows Turkish Americans to engage in expressing themselves through supporting political candidates who share their interests.

Due to the government restrictions on individual giving and the limited political spending any one Turkish American is capable of, one Turkish American is not able to make a significant impact through their political contributions. But by banding together to support TC-USA PAC, the voice of Turkish Americans in the political process can be magnified, and their interests heard loud and clear by American politicians.

Who can give to a PAC?

PACs may receive contributions of up to $5,000 from any one individual, other PAC or party committee per calendar year.

The Ten Thousand Turks campaign, launched by TC-USA PAC on April 29, 2010, is dedicated to reaching out to over 10,000 Turkish-Americans and friends of Turkey willing to take a stand to support candidates that understand the value of positive US-Turkish relations. The campaign is not just for Turkish Americans who can afford to provide large contributions – this campaign is for the people, and any Turkish American or other American friend of Turkey can become one of the 10,000 by contributing just $5 or more to TC-USA PAC!

Since 2007, the TC-USA PAC has raised over $365,000. It has done this with the support of only a handful of Turkish Americans and friends of Turkey. This is less than one thousandth of the estimated number of Turkish Americans living, working and thriving in the United States! We need to reach out to 10,000 Turks in the United States to support the TC-USA PAC. By Turks, we are referring to those Turkish Americans and other American friends of Turkey that understand the importance of a positive US-Turkey relationship.

The goal of this campaign is to reach 10,000 Turks. Continuous bi-partisan support for candidates who support our issues is our goal.

Why support TC-USA PAC and its Ten Thousand Turks campaign?

Support TC-USA PAC and the Ten Thousand Turks campaign if you want the following:

To ensure the views of Turkish Americans are heard in the political arena

Opportunities to interact with friends of Turkey and Turkish Americans

Turkish Americans serving in public office

Turkey plays a central role in enhancing US national security interests and that this decades-old partnership has served the interests of both nations well. It is a time-tested alliance which needs to be strengthened and protected not only for the benefit of both nations, but also for the world.

Working together Turkish Americans can support the advancement of policies that make sense for foreign policy, trade, human rights, security and democratic values.

Where can I learn more about TC-USA PAC and the Ten Thousand Turks Campaign?

The Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans, known as the Turkish Caucus, is a bi-partisan platform for Members of Congress to show their support for strong US-Turkish relations and issues that concern Turkish Americans. Turkish Americans have shown their support for many of these Members of Congress by contributing to them through TC-USA PAC. There are currently 101 Members of Congress in the Turkish Caucus, nearly one-quarter of the entire U.S. House of Representatives! A full list is available at http://www.tcusapac.org/

Help, I have more questions!

If this FAQ or our website at www.tenthousandturks.org doesn’t answer all your questions, please feel free to contact our Treasurer, G. Lincoln McCurdy, at
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